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. FRATERNITY 



A PLAY 

Written for the Baltimore Hebrew 
Congregation Sisterhood 

BY 

PAULINE H. LAZARON 




NEW YORK 

BLOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY 

"The Jewish Book Concern" 

192 1 



]JM 



Copyright, 1921, Bloch Publishing Company 



Characters 



Cecil Thurston ) - Seniors at Arrowmoor and 

Thomas Graham (" - Members of Alpha Gamma Phi 

Henry Levy - - - Senior at Arrowmoor 

Joseph Rice - - - Freshman 

Solomon - - - - The College Porter — an aged negro 

Dick ' j 

Harry > - Members of Alpha Gamma Phi 

Three Others ) 

PLACE — Arrowmoor College. 



JAN 19 1922 
JCLD 59882 



*vt | 



fe'i 5 



FRATERNITY 



^uv 



Scene: Room of Cecil Thurston and Joseph Rice at 
Arrowmoor College. The room is decorated with pen- 
nants, flags and appropriate pictures and trophies. The 
furniture consists of a couch, two study tables at op- 
posit e sides of the room, two easy chairs and several 
straight chairs, a shelf with dishes. Across the back 
of the room a door opens inward from the hall. Boys 
make entrance here. 

{The rising curtain discloses Cecil Thurston leaning 
back in an armchair smoking and reading the "Satur- 
day Evening Post." A bang at the door and it is 
simultaneously opened by Tom Graham.) 

Cecil: Hi Tom! What brings you here? I thought 
you had a class this period. 

Tom: I cut it. But I'm afraid I'm interrupting your 
studying. ( Sarcastically. ) 

Cecil: Oh, just my regular Thursday cram. I expect 
to get high honors for knowledge of serial stories in 
the "Saturday Evening Post," even if I have to flunk 
chemistry to do it. I dont' suppose you ever descend 
to anything this low-brow. 

Tom : Well, I hate to admit it, but "Snappy Stories" and 
"Life" are about my level, unless the profs ask me for 
a report on something in the "Atlantic Monthly" or 
"The Nation." But that's work. 

Cecil: And why shouldn't we frivol a bit? Surely we 
need as much diversion as the tired business man — 
after we've boned zoology or history. And say, speak- 



ing of history, didn't that Cohen boy make a brilliant 
recitation today? We'll have to hand it to those Jew- 
ish boys — they have the brains. 

Tom : Yes, but they're getting too numerous around col- 
lege to suit me. There were only two in our class and 
I learn there are twenty-four in this year's freshman 
class. 

Cecil : And why not ? This is a democratic institution. 

Tom: Yes (regretfully), but I hate to see the old place 
lose caste. But I want to talk to you about another 
matter. 

Cecil: Fraternity business, I suppose. 

Tom : Yes, f rat business, and that young freshman room- 
mate of yours. 

Cecil: Joe? Why we decided at the last meeting that 
you were to offer him a bid to Alpha Gamma. He 
hasn't turned you down, has he? 

Tom : No, not exactly ; but every time I've broached the 
subject of frat, he has shied off and turned the con- 
versation to some other subject. At first, I thought 
he was bashful, like so many freshies, because they've 
been warned that it's bad taste to talk frat to a frat 
man. But Joe Rice is no fool, and if he wanted to 
be bid, he wouldn't overplay the coy and bashful 
maidenly-modesty act. Of course, I could force the 
thing to a finish, but Alpha Gamma mustn't have a 
turndown. So I've come to you. You've been room- 
ing with Joe since September. Has he dropped any- 
thing that would put you wise to his attitude? 

Cecil (puzzledly) : No-o, I can't say he has. And 
(warmly), Tom, we want Joe. He's our kind of a 
fellow — he's the kind we need to carry on the fine 
ideals of Alpha Gamma — sociable, generous, intelligent, 
honorable. We must get him ! 

Tom : Do you think he's considering going into one of 
the other frats? 



Cecil: No, I'm sure it isn't that. He hasn't been with 
any fellows but our men since early in October. No, 
that can't be the trouble. I tell you, leave it to me. 
I'll sound him out — oh very delicately — when he comes 
in, and let you know. 

Tom {rising) : Well, you know the formal bids are made 
this evening, and he ought to have his with the other 
fellows if he's to get one. And yet we don't want to 
cheapen Alpha Gamma by letting any little freshman 
turn us down. 

Cecil {rising and drawing himself tip dramatically) : 
Leave it to me. As a member in good standing of 
Alpha Gamma Phi, as a man of infinite tact and in- 
calculable discretion, as a brother over the pin {point- 
ing to frat pin on vest) and a fellow under the skin, 
I shall delve into the secret of young Joseph Rice's 
heart and later tell you all, 

Tom : Alright, Cecil, my boy {a knock is heard). Hello, 
here he is now. O no. {Enter old Solomon, the college 
porter, bearing a large box.) What have we here, O 
wise Solomon ! 

Solomon {panting) : Dis yeah Mistah Joe Rice — he do 
git mo' packages and mo' presents dan all de rest of 
de college. Come October and he had Hallowe'en box ; 
den he had a birf day box ; den a Thanksgiben box, and 
eb'ry time eb'ry box sho' do contain big eats. De fowl 
of de poultry yahd, de fruits of de orchard, de sweets 
of de confectionery and him ma's oven — dey all con- 
tribute to dem boxes. Dat boy's ma sho' do love dat 
boy. {Disappointed by looking around.) Mistah Joe 
— he aint yeah? 

Cecil: No, Sol. Mister Joe isn't here, but I'll tell him 
you brought the box all the way up here and I wouldn't 
be surprised if he'd save you a w T ing of de "fowl of de 
poultry yahd," and a piece of "him ma's chocolate 
cake." 



Sol : Dat's right, Mist' Cecil, dat's right. You tell Mist' 
Joe old Sol be back by'm bye presently. (Exit.) 

Tom (imitating) : Dat's right, Mist Cecil, dat's right. 
And you tell him old Tom be back by'm bye presently 
too. Say, when do you think he'll open the eats? I 
wouldn't miss them for a farm (looking closely at the 
box). It's marked perishable. Tell Joe he can count 
on me to help 'em perish. O boy ! See you later. And 
don't forget, amid the joys of epicureanism while you're 
putting Joe's food in your tummy, to get Joe's idea in 
your head. 

Cecil : Don't worry about that Tom. So long. 

Tom: So long. (Exit.) (In hall) Hello Levy! (Voice 
of Levy) : Hello Graham ! This is Thurston and Rice's 
room, isn't it? (knocks on door.) 

Cecil (who has picked up "Post" — dtops it again) : 
Come in. How are you Levy? 

Levy (entering) : Oh, so-so, Thurston. Rice in? 

Cecil: No. (Puzzled.) I didn't know you knew Rice. 
Anything I can do? 

Henry : No, I'll stop later. What time do you think he'll 
be back ? 

Cecil : His last class is at four. He ought to be in soon 
now. Won't you wait? Sit down and have a smoke 
(offers cigarettes). 

Henry (refusing) : No, I'll come back. 

Cecil: I'll tell him. Say (as Henry is about to go), what 
did you think of that quiz in Economics today? 

Henry: Pretty stiff and pretty impractical. My dad is 
an employer of foreign labor — tailoring establishment. 
I talked to him about the prof's theories last week-end, 
when I was home. He says the theory may be all right 
but the headaches I may get by cramming the laws of 
supply and demand now, are nothing to the headaches 
I'll get when I try to supply the demands of the work- 
' men after I graduate. 



Cecil {thoughtfully) : I guess he's right. In life the so- 
lutions can't be worked out like an arithmetic problem 
with the answers in the back of the book. 

Levy : Yes, that's a fact. Well, so long ! 

Cecil: So long! I'll tell Joe you're coming back. {Exit 
Levy.) {Drumming with his fingers on desk) I won- 
der what he wanted. I wonder — no, darn it, Joe — I 
like you and I want you to belong. 
{Enter Joe preceded by Tom walking backward and 
"salaaming" and followed by old Sol — beaming and 
bearing a hammer.) 

Tom : Behold, most gracious benefactor of starving un- 
dergraduates ! Behold your latest acquisition — the 
newest of your benefits and benefactions, O benefactor. 
{"Salaams" repeatedly during this speech.) 

Joe : O boy ! Isn't mother a pippin ! But tell me fellows, 
how do you know it isn't a new winter overcoat or my 
clean wash? 

Tom : My ocular organ hath seen it ! Witness the word 
"perishable," which denoteth neither overcoat nor 
laundry. 

Cecil : My olfactory organ hath smelt it ! Nor wool nor 
starch hath scent of chocolate cake and chicken. 

Solomon : Heah, Mistah Joe, why don' you see f oh yo'- 
self ? {He hands hatchet to Joe, who proceeds to epen 
box.) 

Joe: {down on his knees) : Of course you're right, fel- 
lows. It is eats, and we'll have a great old time, thanks 
to mum. Here we are {enumerating as he hands things 
to boys) : Jelly, olives, pickles, sandwiches, a whole 
chicken, a box of cookies and a chocolate cake. Isn't 
that great! Shall we eat it now or have a late feast 
tonight ? 

Cecil : A bird in the hand — er, I mean a chicken-wing in 
the hand, is worth two in the future. Let's get some 
coffee and eat the grub for supper. {Looking signifi- 

7 



cantly at Tom.) We can round up the bunch here be- 
fore the f rat meeting. 

Tom : Right-o ! 

Cecil : My mouth waters at the prospect. 

(Joe here gives a sandwich and other eats to Sol.) 

Sol : Thanks, Mistah Joe ! Chicken sandwich ! I sho' do 
like chicken ! Did you evah heah of a nigger who 
didn't like chicken? ( Exits.) 

Toe : Supper time's O. K. for me, fellows. Tom, will you 
round up the bunch in your dorm ? Hello, here's some- 
thing else (from the depths of the box where he has 
been rummaging Joe fishes a small package). "To be 
opened by my dear boy when alone." (The boys here 
come closer curiously.) Fellows, this is evidently not 
part of the feed. 

Tom (semi-seriously) : Cecil, I really feel we ought to 
write Mrs. Rice a letter explaining that whenever she 
sends Joe a box, we always let him have at least a neck 
of his own chicken. This may be a little private feast 
that she's sent for him to eat alone, for fear he doesn't 
get a bite. 

Joe (looks smiling at mother's picture on desk) : Good 
old mum! (Places package in desk.) 

Cecil (as Tom leaves) : I say Tommy, don't spread your 
bids to the feast too thick or the food will have to be 
spread too thin. 

Tom : O. K., old boy ! The crowd shall be slim and small- 
appetited. I shall ask only those who have already 
eaten heartily or who have acute indigestion or gastric 
fever. You can leave it to Tommy. (Exit.) (Cecil 
and Joe move about the room arranging food and 
cleaning up the debris.) 

Joe: Mother certainly is attentive. You know (laughing 
apologetically), I'm the only child and I guess its 
pretty lonesome for her with me away, so she spends 
some of her time and energy making these eats every 
few weeks. 

8 



Cecil : We were trying to figure out whether there was 

any occasion. We knew you had a birthday last month. 

Haven't got another, have you, Joe? 
Joe: Wouldn't mind having one if it would make me 

graduate from freshman indignities. No, just mother's 

thoughtfulness to break the time till Christmas, I guess. 

I'll have to admit she likes me. 
Cecil: That's not hard. And that reminds me; I want 

to talk with you, Joe. 
Joe {drawing himself up grandiosely and looking at his 

watch) : H'm. I can grant you a three-minute inter- 
view. 
Cecil : No kidding, Joe. I want to speak about the f rat. 
Joe {quietly) : Yes? 
Cecil: I guess I don't have to tell you we fellows are 

mighty particular about the type of man we ask to join. 

We don't talk a lot about ideals, but we choose our 

men with an eye to their sociableness, honorableness 

and manliness. 
Joe: I know your little group is made up of about the 

finest men I've ever met. 
Cecil : Perhaps you've guessed that we'd like to have you 

one of us. 
Joe: You want me? Are you sure? 
Cecil: Are you surprised? Tom is giving the official 

bids but he said you seemed to shy off when he tried 

to approach the subject. 

Joe: I didn't want you Alpha Gamma fellows to think 
I was thrusting myself upon you. Just because good 
luck made me your room-mate when your chum failed 
at the last minute to come back to college, I didn't want 
to intrude. 

Cecil {laying his hand on Joe's shoulder) : Joe, old boy, 
no man could thrust himself into our frat though lots 
of 'em have tried. We do our own choosing and you're 
chosen. 



Joe : Are you sure I'm all the things I ought to be, to be 
one of you? 

Cecil : We have never had a more enthusiastically unani- 
mous choice of a frat candidate. Why, Joe, of course, 
I don't want to depreciate Alpha Gamma, but if I were 
to offer you the nomination for the United States presi- 
dency, you couldn't be more overcome with doubts of 
your worthiness. 

Joe: That's just it. I'm not sure 

Cecil (emphatically): Well, I am! So we'll consider 
that closed. Now I'm going to get the coffee before I 
tell Tom to come over to give you the formal bid to 
Alpha Gamma! (Exits slamming door.) (Opens it 
again to say) : Now, Joe, if your best girl proposes to 
you some leap year I know just how you'll say : "This 
is so sudden !" Hello, Levy ! Joe, I forgot to tell you 
Levy was here a while ago. (Exits.) (Enter Levy). 

Levy (seeing preparations for the feast) : Hello Rice, I 
hope I'm not intruding. 

Joe: O no! The mater has just been treating me with a 
nice surprise. Some of the fellows are coming in later 
to help stow this away. We'll be glad to have you 
join us. 

Levy: Thank you, no. But I guess you're wondering 
what I want, Rice. (He hesitates a moment, laughs 
embarrassedly.) Fact is, I hardly know how to begin. 

Joe: Is there anything I can do? 

Levy : Yes, a very big thing. Rice, some weeks ago I had 
a letter from my mother saying she had heard that 
Fanny Schwarz Rice, who had been in the same con- 
firmation class with her years ago, had a son at Arrow- 
moor this year. She suggested that I look you up and 
make myself known to you and I did. 

Joe : Yes, and I'm glad to have met you, Levy. 

Levy: I gave you several opportunities to speak of your 
people and your religion, but you passed them up. 

10 



Joe: You didn't tell me you'd be interested. 

Levy : Had you been interested, you would have known. 
However, that's not to the point. I would have men- 
tioned it had I not seen how absorbed you were by 
your friendship with Alpha Gamma men. I didn't 
want to do anything to queer you with them. 

Joe {indignantly) : What do you mean? 

Levy: You know just as well as I do, that if they had 
guessed through your association with a Jew that you 
are one, they wouldn't have considered you so desirable 
for a bid to the Alpha Gamma. 

Joe (after quite a pause) : Levy, you're right. I haven't 
told these fellows that I'm a Jew, because I can't see 
any reason for clinging to a religion that marks me dif- 
ferent from all the world. Now, wait a minute (as 
Levy would interrupt). I've thought a lot about this 
thing. You know I come from a small town where our 
family are the only Jews and except for the customs 
of our home, I've known no Jewish life. There we 
have mingled with our fellows and yet always have 
been apart because of the brand — Jew. Here, at col- 
lege, in every respect of living, education, social life, 
athletic interest, I am one of the bunch. I am congenial 
with these Alpha Gamma men. Their ethical standards 
are no different than mine, their moral ideals are the 
same, their religion — well, you know as well as I, how 
little religion enters into things here. Then why should 
I remain apart? Why should I put the label — Jew — 
upon myself ? These men like me for myself. Do you 
really see any reason why I should give them the ex- 
cuse to reject me for my religion? They're going to 
bid me to Alpha Gamma, and after thinking a long 
time, I've decided to join. 

Levy: Rice, I want to ask you a question. Doesn't the 
mission of your people mean anything to you. 

11 



Joe : Oh, it was all right to remain distinct so long as we 
had something to teach the world, but surely you don't 
think we're any better than our Christian neighbors 
today ? 

Levy: Don't you feel the bond of race that makes you 
want to preserve your people's individuality? 

Joe: No, I can't say I do. The only individual Jewish 
characteristics I can see are the ones the caricaturist 
picks out — the hooked nose and the peddler. I don't 
want to preserve those. 

Levy : But your mother. 

Joe (soberly): Poor Muddy! But (brightening), I'm 
sure I can make her see the ultimate good. 

Levy : Do you think it honorable not to tell ? 

Joe (very slowly) : That's the one thing that's troubling 
me. But they haven't asked, and if they do, I'll tell 
them and (laughing) they can throw me over. Darn 
it, Levy, I want to join Alpha Gamma. 

Levy: Rice, I didn't come here to preach to you, but I 
wonder if you know what a glorious past you're throw- 
ing over. Do you know what holiday begins tonight, 
and that it is probably the occasion for your mother's 
box ! Don't you remember the story of Hanukah and 
all the other thrilling tales in our history? It isn't an 
inheritance to throw over lightly. 

Joe : You keep it then, Levy. I don't want it. Oh, I ap- 
preciate your desire to do your duty, but I've quite 
made up my mind. I told Thurston just before you 
came in. 

Levy: Will you throw me out if I persist? Please don't 
think I'm a fanatic, but somehow or other I care a lot 
about this thing. And we Jews can't afford to lose a 
man like you, Rice, without a fight. You don't realize 
what an honored and respected chap like you can do 
for our people. Don't give me your answer now. 
Think this thing over. Well, I hope you'll not for- 

12 



sake us. And, Rice, I haven't said a word about all 
this to any of the boys, and I won't, but I hope you'll 
see fit to tell the world yourself. Good-bye, Rice, no 
hard feelings? 

Joe: I should say not (shaking hands warmly). I only 
hate to disappoint you, but I want what I want when 
I want it, and that little gold and pearl frat pin of Tom 
Graham's is going to be mighty becoming to me right 
here (pointing to his vest). Goodbye, Levy. (Exit 
Levy). 

(Joe stands a moment looking thought fully at the 
closed door, then walks slowly over to his table and still 
standing, picks up his mother's picture and gazes long 
at it. As he puts it down, he notices the package next 
to it, picks it up, murmurs, "to be opened by my dear 
boy, when alone" — "good old Mum" — unties bundle, 
disclosing small menorah, candles and a letter. Places 
menorah on table, droops into chair, turns on desk light 
and reads quietly. As he finishes, he toys with a small 
gold object at the top of the page and gazes at it 
thoughtfully. From hall are heard boys' voices sing- 
ing. Joe hastily puts menorah into drawer table and 
drops the letter into his pocket.) 

(Half a dozen fellows enter in a snake dance, led by 
Cecil bearing a coffee pot and with Tom bringing up the 
rear. They chant: "Hail, Hail, the gang's all here! 
What the do we care," etc.) 

Tom : Hi, Joe, are you ready for us ? 

Dick: What's the diff if he's ready or not, so long as the 
grub's ready ! 

Joe : Well, the grub is ready, Dick, so all you fellows fall- 
to. Here, Cecil, give me the coffee pot and I'll fill the 
cups. 

Cecil: Here you are, gentlemen. Hot coffee with real 
sugar and condensed milk, strong enough to keep you 
awake during the dean's philosophy sleep-fests. Here 

13 



you are, fellows. I will now auction off the chicken. 
What am I bid for a piece of breast? {Serves food. 
During the rest of this scene all the fellows suit the 
action to the word and eat heartily.) 

Harry : I say, Cecil, I didn't know they allowed chickens 
in this dorm. 

Tom : And this is no old hen, either. 

Dick : Well, you, see, this chicken was so roasted before 
she came that she did not care what happened after — 
and anyway, you know, chickens don't care for their 
reputations as they cannot hope for immortality. 

Tom : Now, fellows, pay attention. Dick's springing a 
joke. Why, King Richard, can these poor feathered 
creatures entertain no hopes of survival after death? 

Dick: Because they have their necks twirled (next 
world) {suiting the action to the word) in this! 
{Groans from the fellows.) 

Harry : Say, the chicken is fine and fresh, but that joke is 
certainly cold storage. It's been well preserved so 
many years. {He pounces upon Dick, and holds him 
prisoner by sitting on him.) Now, boys, what shall he 
do to show he is penitent for perpetrating such a joke? 

All : Make him give us one of his original limericks ! A 
limerick ! 

Harry: You have heard the sentence. Can you pro- 
nounce it? 

Dick {struggling) : Let me up and I'll try. Wait a min- 
ute. How's this: 

There was a young fellow named Rice, 
Who gave us a feed that was nice. 
We all like fricassee, 
And so we agree 

We enjoy eating chicken with Rice. 
{Cries of " Bravo! Fine! Hurrah!" and a moment's 
applause.) 

Joe : Here, Dick, have a date as a reward. 

14 



Cecil : A date with a chicken. Worse and worse. Now 
he'll be summoned before the dean. 

Harry: Tom, I didn't see you in psychology class this 
aft. 

Tom : No, I cut it. I had brain-fag, or brain-storm, or — 

Cecil: Or brain-vacuum. It's all right, Tommy, we un- 
derstand. 

Tom : Did I miss anything important, Harry ? 

Harry : Oh, a rather interesting talk on mob-psychology. 
And what subject do you think the poor nut had the 
nerve to assign for a paper? 

Tom : Let's see. He gave us the psychology of rooters at 
a football game last month. I guess this time he an- 
nounced Christmas Shoppers. 

Harry : Wrong. But you'll never guess, so I'll tell you. 
Anti-semitism ! 

Dick: Anti-semitism! What's that? 

Cecil: That's prejudice against the Jews. It causes 
massacres and murders like we read of in the history 
of the Spanish Inquisition or the Russian pogroms. 

Tom : And quite justifiable, I think. 

Cecil: Shame, Tom. 

Tom : Shame ! Indeed it is a shame. I could have a little 
private massacre of my own, when I think how our fine 
old college is being cheapened by a bunch of sheenies. 

Dick : Tom, you are joking about a serious matter. 

Tom : I'm not joking. I never have been more serious. 
And you fellows know it is true as well as I. These 
Jews are creeping in more and more every year, leading 
in classes, getting on the debating teams and in the glee 
clubs, butting into dramatics, taking Phi Beta Kappa. 
It is disgusting. Pretty soon they'll be trying to run 
the whole place. Thank God there is one place where 
we can put up the bar — at the door of our frat, and 
plainly say: "No Jews wanted." 

{Joe who has been very quiet during the entire feast 
starts to his feet and then sits down again very tensely.) 

15 



Cecil: Tom, you bigot! I'm ashamed of you! 

Dick (stuffing a piece of cake in Tom's mouth) : Here 

Tom, swallow your wath and this delicious cake. 
Harry: Come on fellows, let's have some harmony. 
(They all gather around one of the boys who has been 
silent till now, who takes up a mandolin or guitar and 
strums as they sing) : 

"What's the matter with Joe Rice — he's all right. 
What's the matter with Joe Rice — he's had a great 

feast tonight. 
His ma makes such good jelly cake 

That we will all have belly-ache. 
What's the matter with Joe Rice — he's all right ! 
Joe : Thank you fellows. 

Tom : What's the matter, Joe ? You don't look very pert. 
Joe (trying to seem jolly) : Maybe I've eaten so much that 
I'm getting that prophesied belly-ache. 

Harry: Come on fellows, another song! How about 
"Solomon Levy." 

Tom : Another Jew ! 

Dick : Yes, but that one has been in college a long time ; 
they sang that when my dad was at Arrowmoore. 
(They sing Solomon Levy.) 

Joe crosses over to Cecil while fellows are humming 
to music, and says quietly, "Cecil, you haven't said any- 
thing to Tom or the others about my joining the frat?" 

Cecil : Not yet, but — 

Joe : Well, please don't until I've talked with you alone. 

Cecil : What the — Tom's tirade hasn't made you change 
your mind? 

Joe : Get rid of the others and I'll explain, and meantime 
— mum ! 

Cecil: This is your party. (Looking at watch) I say fel- 
lows, you have to gather your freshmen from all over 
the quadrangle. I hate to be inhospitable — 

16 



Dick : But we are invited to begin, to commence to start, 
to vamoose ! Joe, you notice we have left nothing un- 
eaten but the waxed paper, the chicken bones and the 
peanut shells. That's eloquent thanks. 

Harry : Altogether, fellows (short whispered cheer for 
Rice. Harry goes thru the gyrations of the cheer- 
leader and fellows whisper and follow) : Rice, Rah ; 
Rice Rah ; Rah, Rah, Rah ! 

Cecil : I don't like raw rice ! 

(Fellows hit Rice on the back, shake his hand and 
exit again in the snake dance in the friendly waly of 
college men.) 

Harry : See you later ! 

Dick : Be prompt. 

Others: Frat House at seven thirty. (Exit all but Tom.) 

Tom : Well, what news, Cecil? 

(Joe is clearing up the litter in the back of the room.) 

Cecil : Tommy, run down to the post office for the seven 
o'clock mail and I'll give you the dope when you come 
back. I think everything's alright, but — tell you later. 

Tom : I don't get the mystery game. 

Cecil (pushing Tom towards the do'or) : Run along like 
a good fellow. (Exit Tom.) 

(Joe has moved over to the table and as door closes 
he pulls out of the drawer his menorah, stands it on the 
table, places the candles in it and then turns to face\ 
Cecil, who ]%as watched him in interested silence.) 

Cecil : I don't get you, Joe. It looks like a religious rite. 

Joe (solemnly) : Cecil, I have done both you and myself 
an injustice. 

Cecil : I don't understand at all. 

Joe : No wonder. You said the candle looked like a re- 
ligious rite. It is. It is a ceremony in the celebration 
of the Feast of Lights, a festival of my people, the 
Jewish people. 

Cecil : You don't mean to tell me you are a Jew ? 

17 



Joe: I didn't mean to tell you, but I am ashamed of my- 
self. You see, Cecil, we seemed so much at one in our 
ideas about things, that I thought my faith did not 
matter. You didn't talk about your religion, so I didn't 
see why I should talk about mine. I didn't think it 
made any difference, but Tom opened my eyes. I 
wanted to lay him out at once and tell him a few things, 
but I thought of you, Cecil, and how kind all you fel- 
lows have been, and besides I was host, and so I bit my 
tongue and avoided a scene. 

Cecil (still uncomfortable) : I'm sorry, Joe. 

Joe: Sorry? I'm not. I'm glad. Glad I can stand up 
like a man for my people. Glad I can feel honest. Glad 
I can take Henry Levy's hand. Most glad I can look 
my mother in the eye. (Taking up her picture, hesi- 
tating) — I would like to read you a bit from my 
mother's letter, Cecil. 

Cecil (uncomfortably) : Fire ahead! 

Joe (reading) : "I am sending you a Hanukah box" — no, 
that's not the place ; oh, here : "You say, my dear son, 
you think you will be invited to join the frat to which 
your room-mate belongs; and I can tell you are very 
happy about this. But am I mistaken in thinking these 
f rats discriminate against Jewish boys ? Surely you do 
not forget that if, as you write, Alpha Gamma Phi is a 
very old society, that you belong to one even older. I 
have pinned to the top of this letter the little amulet 
your grandfather gave you at your naming. It bears a 
Hebrew symbol of the Eternity of God. Won't you 
slip it on your fob and wear it as a reminder of the 
great fraternity of Jews to which you belong?" 

Joe (slowly as he hands pin to Cecil) : I'm sure you un- 
derstand now, Cecil. 

Cecil (zvarmly),: Understand? I should say I do. Old 
Joe, you're all right. I'm only sorry that this must put 
an end to your joining the frat. (He hands Joe the 

18 



little amulet regretfully, just as Tom bursts into the 
room.) 

Tom {reproachfully) : You're giving Joe your frat pin, 
and I wanted to give mine as I was to bid him. 

Cecil {putting his Itand on Joe's shoulder) : You're 
wrong, Tom. This isn't my frat pin, it's Joe's own — a 
symbol of the ancient order to which he belongs, which 
makes him prefer honor to honors. Tom, Joe has just 
told me he is a Jew. We've lost a frat brother, but 
we've found a valued friend. There's something better 
than any fraternity bond and that's the bond of man- 
hood. 

{Joe and Cecil clasp hands as the curtain drops.) 



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